Buveur D'Air put forward his credentials to challenge the dominance of Faugheen with a fine performance at the Fighting Fifth Hurdle at Newcastle. The two horses are set for a collision course this season and could meet as early as the Christmas Hurdle at Kempton Park. Both competitors have made strong starts to their respective National Hunt campaigns and could be poised for an enthralling battle when they battle it out on the track.

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Faugheen put down a marker for horses competing at the two-mile distance with a fine performance on his return to action at the Morgiana Hurdle at Punchestown. However, his rival has now challenged his dominance with a dominant run of his own. Despite, Faugheen’s impressive record, Buveur D'Air is considered the leading contender in the latest horse racing betting odds to claim victory at the Christmas Hurdle at the end of the month.

It had been eight months since the bay gelding had competed in action, but the French horse showed no sign of a lack of rhythm at Newcastle. Buveur D'Air moved seamlessly through the field before striding out in front three fences from the end of the meet. He cantered down the stretch to secure a comfortable victory by three-and-a-half lengths ahead of Irving.

As a result of the triumph, Nicky Henderson’s charge has now won his last his last seven races on the bounce. This included his outstanding run at Cheltenham Festival to win the Champion Hurdle Challenge Trophy even though he was not considered the favourite for the meet behind Yanworth. With Noel Fehily in the saddle, Buveur D'Air dominated down the final stages of the contest, beating out My Tent Or Yours by four-and-a-half lengths.

Only two horses have managed to beat six-year-old in his career. The last time the French horse did not taste success was at the 2016 Cheltenham Festival. Only the great Altior managed to get the best of him at the Supreme Novices' Hurdle, with his stable-mate finishing well ahead of him in the meet. Barters Hill bested Buveur D'Air in the opening two races of his career – other than that the six-year-old has known nothing other than the winner’s circle.

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Faugheen will put that to the test, having claimed 13 wins out of a possible 14 races. Willie Mullins’ charge had won two titles at Cheltenham Festival – the Novices' Hurdle in 2014 and Champion Hurdle in 2015. He also boasts a formidable record at the Christmas Hurdle, winning the meet twice in his two attempts. The bay gelding appeared to be surging towards his third Cheltenham crown in as many seasons before injury almost ruined his career. However, after a 22-month absence, Faugheen returned to action with a dominant victory at Punchestown in the Morgiana Hurdle, winning by 16 lengths ahead of his nearest rival.

Both horses are in prime form for the contest and both have the ability to produce exceptional performances. It should be an enthralling race at Kempton Park that could be the perfect appetiser for the main course at Cheltenham Festival next year.